Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness-whatever the diagnosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of a serious illness, and can be provided together with curative treatment with the goal being that of improving quality of life for the patient and their family.

Unfortunately there are not enough palliative care specialists available to provide this type of care. Where there is one cardiologist for every 71 people experiencing a heart attack there is only one palliative medicine physician for every 1,200 people living with serious or life-threatening illness.

Curriculum is aligned with the National Quality Forum preferred practices for quality palliative care and the teaching methods are interactive and experiential in nature. The clinical faculty are nationally certified palliative clinicians with extensive experience in hospice and palliative care.

The Franciscan Palliative Care Academy is made possible through a generous grant from the Cambia Foundation. There is no charge for CHI Franciscan Health staff. Clinicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants outside of Franciscan are invited to attend the trainings; there is no charge unless CME credit is desired.

Note: The Palliative Care Academy is aimed at training physicians and mid-level clinicians. If you are a health care professional such as a nurse, social worker or case manager and you are interested in attending a session, please do not register until you have communicated with Tammy Bhang at the email address below.